Analysis Box of IVJiitebait. 99 



CONTEXTS BIG BOX WHITEBAIT, 



During Spring when Larval Conditions Superabundant. 



SKRIBS I. Fish ranging from 32 to 42 millimetres (1J to close on 

 If inches), calculated approximately to be from 6 to 8 weeks old. 



(a) Clupeoids of pale yellowish or huffish tint with a thin, 

 elongated (eel like) body, translucent or diaphanous generally, ex- 

 cepting a single, narrow stripe of silvery sheen along the gut (inside 

 or peritoneal). No silvering whatsoever outside the body. These 

 numbered ..................... _ ..... . ....... g83 Y I. 461 



(b) Having a similar translucent body and gut stripe ; with, the 

 addition outside the body of faint silvering on the gill covers, and a 

 thread of same along the lateral line. -None on back. Numbers.... ... 578 



The larval stage La, and possibly a few of the smallest of I.b, 

 appear to correspond to what the Thames fishermen know as "heads 

 and eyes." 



SERIES II. Fish from 41 to 51 millims. (under If to 2 inches), 

 conjecturally 8, 9, or 10 weeks of age. 



(a) Clupeoids in part translucent, still elongate, a trifle deeper bodied 

 than Series I., all with a most delicate thin silvery film on the surface of 

 the skin .................. ............... 1,152 



"N 

 - 



(I) A further set a little more full bodied, and distinguished by pos- 

 sessing silveringlof an iridescent kind .................. 4,822'' 



SERIES III. Fish of from 49 to 61 millims. (2 inches to close on 2^ 

 inches), supposed to run from 2i to 3i or 4 months. Well shaped fish, 

 relatively deeper bodied than in Series I. ,11., and the majority just begin- 

 ning to assume a sprat-like appearance, others probably young herrings. 

 Still further iridescent than in Series II.6, but not yet scaled ...... 5,795 



SBRIRS IV. Fish from 63 to 72 millims. (about 2| to over 2f inches), 

 assumed to be from 4 to 5 months advanced. Mosc of a somewhat sprat- 

 like contour, deeper bodied than Series III., and neatly formed, with a 

 remarkably bright metallic sheen or lustre, and among only the largest 

 a commencement of scaling ........................ 2,779 



SERIES V. Fish running from 76 to 85 millims. (3 to over 3} 

 inches), say, from 6 to 7 months old. Quite evident their being composed 

 of sprats and young herrings in the yawl ing stage, and all fully scaled. 

 The relative proportions were 20 of sprats and 24 yawlings. Total ... 233 



SERIES VI. Fish from 86 to 136 millims. (over 3J to nearly 5J inches). 

 These may be reckoned to have ranged from 7 to 10 or 11 months, some 

 doubtless a year old. Among them were nine adult sprats, and some of 

 these with the roe fairly developed. The young herrings, numbering -13 

 in the so-called yawling stage, exhibited no signs of roe development. 

 Rather less than half of them were above 4 inches long ......... 52 



Total amount of Clupeoids (= herring-sprats) 16,294 



In addition to the above (fisherman's whitebait) were 48 specimens of extraneous 

 material, pipefish, &c. (including 17 white gobies, but excluding the numerous small 

 nut-galls, &c.). 



o 2 



